Acoustic adhesive vent protects openings in portable electronics

The GAW113 acoustic vent from W. L. Gore & Associates' Portable Electronic Vents group is designed to provide dust and splash protection for acoustic openings in portable electronic devices such as scanners, two-way radios, tablet and laptop PCs.

To function properly, portable electronic devices require acoustic openings that enable sound to enter and exit the system. If these openings are not adequately protected, contaminants such as dust and water can enter the enclosure and compromise the acoustic performance.

The GAW113 vents are a proprietary non-woven composite material that adheres to the acoustic openings, providing a water spray efficiency of 90% with the ability to capture particulates as small as 5 microns (µm). It is a dark gray in color to provide a neutral complement to device designs and has a thickness of only 0.47mm. With an improved spray resistance to IP54 testing, a thinner profile and less than 2dB of acoustic transmission loss, the GAW113 vent provides superior performance to vents comprised of woven material.

Woven material captures only particles equal to or greater than its specified pore size. Particles such as human hair or metal fibers that have a surface area equal to or larger than the specified pore size can still pass through woven material because of their shape. The non-woven material used in the GAW113 is able to capture particles of various shapes and sizes because of its three-dimensional structure. It is also more likely to maintain consistent airflow because it captures particles in a torturous path not limited by a specific pore size.